The Texas Observer has been Texas' "Journal of Free Voices" since 1954. Focusing on Texas news, politics and culture, the Observer is the state's only source of independent, progressive journalism. The Observer consistently publishes the stories that other outlets ignore...

After years complaining that the Bush administration instituted torture, lied its way into a war that killed more than 4,000 Americans, and generally treated the Constitution like toilet paper in a Taco Bell bathroom, senior Democrats now show little stomach to pursue criminal charges.

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The Texas Observer cut its teeth on LBJ and the politics of the late 1950s. In his drive to accrue power at the state and national levels, Johnson played on both sides of major issues and Ronnie was there to hold him accountable.

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In the end, after the 13-hour filibuster and all the wrangling over rules, Wendy Davis and her fellow Texas Democrats could do only so much. In the end, it was the citizens in the gallery who made the difference late Tuesday night.